Flex jack



. 1957 K. D. ENGELBART 2,802,635

FLEX JACK Filed Dec. 6, 1954 I 5' SVIIIIIAIIIVIII JI v vewra M;

United States Patent FLEX JACK Claims. (Cl. 254-1) This invention has to do with hydraulic devices and more particularly with hydraulic flex jacks. I

Heretofore hydraulic flex jacks have had a limited utility for the reason that tilting movement has been restricted within defined paths of travel.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a hydraulic jack structure that will accommodate itself to any tilting movement of the object to be supported.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hydraulic jack structure that will accommodate itself to any tilting movement of the object to be supported and at the same time is capable of being flexibly centralized when the object to be supported is not in a tilted condition or when the jack is not in use.

A yet further object of this invention is to provide a hydraulic jack structure that will accommodate itself to any tilting movement of the object to be supported, or be held in a rigid condition when the situation so demands.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view, parts being broken away or shown in dotted line for purposes of clarity.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary, perspective view looking in the direction of the arrow found in Figure 1 and identified by 2. i

Figure 3 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view, illustrating the structure of the flexible, hydraulic cylinder centralizing struts.

Referring to the drawings wherein similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout, 10 broadly designates a tripod stand having a plurality of elongated, inclined legs 12, 13, and 14. Interconnecting each of the three legs and supported thereon and thereby is a body 16,

Patented Aug. 13, 1957 on one end thereof. Plunger 27 is limited in its downward and upward path of travel by an annular stop shoulder 29 formed on interior of hydraulic cylinder 23 and by an annular stop shoulder 30 formed in an enlargement 22 that is contacted by enlargement 28.

Bolted or otherwise attached to plunger 27 in opposed relationship to enlargement 28 is a socket fitting 31 that has'freely swivelable thereon a ball 32. Ball 32 has integral therewith a pad or panel 33 upon whichthe object to be supported rests.

Integral with hydraulic cylinder 23 and disposed between the end 24 and structure 26 is a triangular shaped fitting 34 having legs or flats 35 as a part thereof. Attached by bolts 36 or other equally applicable structure, to each flat 35 is a socket fitting broadly designated by 38. Each leg 12, 13, and 14 has aflixed thereto, intermediate the ends thereof, and in opposed relation to the flats 35, a socket fitting broadly designated by 39 similar to 38. Disposed within an annular ring 40 and 41 of each fitting 38 and 39 respectively is a spring urged block 42 and 43. Each block 42 and 43 has a depression 44 and 45 therein that is complementary in configuration to a ball 46 and and a brace 15 respectively, only one of the latter of which is shown.

- Body 16 has centrally located therein a semi-spherical seat or depression 17 in communication with an opening 18 that extends therethrough. Positioned within the seat, circumscribing the same, and spaced from the upper edge 19 and the lip 20, defining the opening 18, is a bearing shim 21.

Supported in seat 17 on bearing shim 21, and having a complementary configuration, is a semi-spherical enlargement 22 that has depending therefrom a hollow, hydraulic cylinder 23 that is closed at one end 24 in opposed relationship to enlargement 22.

Seat 17 and enlargement 22 are substantially a ball and socket fitting which will permit the enlargement and depending hydraulic cylinder 23 to swivel in any direction.

Enlargement 22 has an annular guide-shoulder 25 thereon. that defines a centrally located opening therethrough that is in communication with the interior of cylinder 23. Intermediate the ends of hydraulic cylinder 23 and in communication with the interior thereof is structure 26 that will admit fluid thereinto and therefrom.

: Reciprocably actuated, through the opening in enlargement 22 and in cylinder 23, by fluid entering into or exiting from hydraulic cylinder 23 through structure 26 is an elongated plunger 27 having a guide enlargement 28 47 that is a part of three struts broadly designated 48, 49, and 50.

Each of the struts 48, 49, and 50 are identical; therefore, only one will be described.

The struts comprise an elongated plunger rod 51 of which ball 47 is an integral part. Intermediate the ends of plunger rod 51 is an annular shoulder 52 against which a washer 53 is urged by a coiled compression spring 54. The end of the spring 54, in opposed relationship to that end bearing against washer 53, bears against an elongated plunger housing 55 which has an elongated opening 56 therein to slidably receive that end of the plunger opposed to the ball 47. Integral with housing 55 is a rod 57 to which is attached the ball 46. Plunger 51 and housing 55 each have an opening 58 therethrough that registers one with the other to receive a pin 59, for rendering the plunger rigid when the situation so demands.

The struts 48, 49, and 50 with the balls 46 and 47 thereon that fit into socket fittings 38 and 39 present a ball and socket joint that enables the struts to swivel freely in any direction.

In operation the object to be supported rests upon pad 33. In the event that the object is inclined to tilt or made to do so, the ball and socket 31 and 32 on the plunger 27 permit the pad to swivel to conform therewith. Further, if the object is urged to tilt to the extent that a tilting force is exerted on the plunger 27 and cylinder 23, then the seat 17 and enlargement 22 will permit the plunger and cylinder to swivel in conformity to the force exerted. The struts 48, 49, and 50, which are inclined to flexibly centralize the hydraulic cylinder 23 and related structure, also are free to swivel in any direction by virtue of ball and socket joint structure located at each end thereof. If it is desired to render the struts rigid, and as a result the hydraulic cylinder 23 and plunger 27, then pin 59 is inserted in the opening 58 which substantially locks the struts in the aforementioned condition.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprises a preferred form of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A flex jack comprising a stand, a body on the stand, said body having an opening therethrough and a semi-spherical seat therein in communication with said opening, a hydraulic cylinder extending through said opening, a semi-spherical enlargement on said cylinder that is supported by said seat and freely swivels horizontally and vertically therein, said enlargement having an opening therethrough, means on said stand and cylinder that flexibly centralizes said cylinder on said stand, structure on saidtcylinder for admitting fluid thereinto and therefrom, and a fluid actuated plunger reciprocable through the opening in said enlargement and in said cylinder, said plunger having a freely swivelable assembly thereon adapted to receive an object to.be supported.

7 2. A flex jack comprising a stand, a body on the stand, said body having an opening therethrough and a semispherical seat therein in communication with said opening, a hydraulic cylinder extending through said opening, a semi-sphericalenlargement on said cylinder that'is sup.- ported by said seat and freely swivels horizontally and vertically therein, said enlargement having an opening therethrough, means on said stand and cylinder that flexibly centralizes said cylinder on said stand, structure'on said cylinder for admitting fluid thereinto and therefrom, and a fluid actuated plunger reciprocable through the opening in said enlargement and in said cylinder, said plunger having a freely swivelable assembly thereon adapted to receive an object to be supported, said assembly including a ball and socket joint.

3. A flex jack comprising a stand, a body on the stand, said body having an opening therethrough and a semi-spherical seat therein in communication with said opening, a hydraulic cylinder extending through said opening, a semi-spherical enlargement on said cylinder that is supported by said seat and freely swivels horizontally and vertically therein, said enlargement having an opening therethrough, means on said stand and cylinder that flexibly centralizes said cylinder on said stand, structure on said cylinder for admitting fluid thereinto and therefrom, and a freely swivelable ball and socket joint on said plunger, said ball having a jack pad thereon adapted to receive the object to be supported.

4. A flexjack comprising a tripod stand, a body on said stand, said body having an opening therethrough and a semi-spherical seat therein in communication with said opening, a hydraulic cylinder extending through said opening, a semi-spherical enlargement on said cylinder that is supported by said seat and freely swivels horizontally and vertically therein, said enlargement having an opening therethrough, a resilient strut connected to and spanning the distance between each leg and cylinder that flexibly centralizes said cylinderon said stand, structure on said cylinder for admitting fluid thereinto and therefrom, and a fluid actuated plunger reciprocable through the opening in said enlargement and in said cylinder, said plunger having. a freely swivelable assembly thereon adapted to receive an object to be supported.

5. A flex jack comprising a tripod stand, a body on the stand, said body having an opening therethrough and a semi-spherical seat therein in communication with said opening, a hydraulic cylinder extending through said opening, a semi-spherical enlargement on said cylinder that is supported by said seat and freely swivels horizontally and vertically therein, said enlargement having an opening therethrough, a resilient strut connected to and spanning the distance between each leg and cylinder that flexibly centralizes said cylinder on said stand; structure on said cylinder for admitting fluid thereinto and therefrom, a fluid actuated plunger reciprocable' through the opening in said enlargement and in said cylinder, said plunger having a freely swivelable assembly thereon adapted to receive an object to be supported, and means formaking the resilient strut substantially rigid to hold the hydraulic cylinder in a centralized position. 7

6. A flex jack comprising a tripod stand, a body on the stand, said body having an opening therethrough and a semi-spherical seat therein in communication with said opening, a hydraulic cylinder extending through said 4 7 opening, a semi-spherical enlargement on said cylinder that is supported by said seat and freely swivels horizontally and vertically therein, said enlargement having an opening therethrough, a resilient strut connected to and spanning the distance between each leg and cylinder that flexibly centralizes said cylinder on said stand, said struts having a freely, horizontally and vertically, swivelable ball and socket joint at each, end, structure on said cylinder for admitting fluid thereinto and therefrom, and a fluid actuated plunger reciprocable through the opening in said plunger, said plunger having a freely swivelable assembly thereon adapted to receive an object to be supported.

7. A flex jack comprising a tripod stand, a body on the stand, said body having an openingtherethrough and a semi-spherical seat therein in communication with said opening, a hydraulic cylinder extending through said opening, a semi-spherical enlargement on, said cylinder that is supported by said seat and freely swivels horizontally and vertically therein; said enlargement having an opening therethrough, 'a socket assembly attached to each leg and to the hydraulic cylinder intermediate their ends, an elongated resilient strut extending from each leg to said cylinder, said struts each having a ball on each end thereof which fits into said socket assembly that flexibly centralizes said cylinder on said stand, structure on said cylinder for admitting fluid thereinto and therefrom, and a fluid actuated plunger reciprocable through the opening in said enlargement and'in saidcylinder, said plunger having a freely swivelable assembly thereon adapted to receive an object to be supported.

8. A flex jack comprising a tripod stand, a body on the stand, said body having an opening therethrough and a semi-spherical seat therein in communication with said opening, a hydraulic cylinder extending through said opening, a semi-spherical enlargement on said cylinder that issupported by said seat and freely swivels horizontally and vertically therein, said enlargement having an opening therethrough, a socket assembly attachedto each leg and to the hydraulic cylinder intermediate their ends, an elongated resilient strut extending from each leg to said cylinder, said struts each having a ball on each end thereof which fits into said sockets that flexibly centralizes said cylinder on said stand, said strut including a spring actuated plunger structure on said cylinder for admitting fluid thereinto and therefrom, and a fluid actuated plunger reciprocable through the opening in said enlargement and said cylinder, said plunger having a freely swivelable assembly thereon adapted to receive an object to be supported. V V

9. A flex jack comprising a tripod stand, a body on the stand,,said body having an opening therethrough and a semi-spherical seat therein in communication with said opening, a hydraulic cylinder extending .through said opening, a semi-spherical enlargement on said cylinder that is supported by said seat and freely swivels horizontally and vertically therein, said enlargement having an openingtherethrough, a socket assembly attached to each leg and to the hydraulic cylinder intermediate their ends, an elongated plunger, said plunger having a ball on one end thereof which'fits into the socket assembly attached to each leg, a spring actuated plunger housing having an opening therein into which the end of said plunger remote from the ball. fits, said housing having a ball thereon, in opposed relationship .to said opening, which fits into the socket assembly attached to the hydraulic cylinder, structure on said cylinder for admitting fluid thereinto and therefrom, a fluid actuated plunger reciprocable through the opening in said enlargement and said, cylinder, said plunger-havinga freely swivelable assembly thereon adapted to receive an. object to' be supported.

10. A flex jack comprising a tripodstand, a body on the stand, said body having an opening therethrough and a semi-spherical seat therein-in communication with said opening, a hydraulic cylinder extending through'said opening, a semi-spherical enlargement on said cylinder that is supported by said seat and freely swivels horizontally and vertically therein, said enlargement having an opening therethrough, a socket assembly attached to each leg and to the hydraulic cylinder intermediate their ends, an elongated plunger, said plunger having a ball on one end thereof which fits into the socket assembly attached to each leg, a spring actuated plunger housing having an opening therein into which the end of said plunger remote from the ball fits, said housing having a ball thereon in opposed relationship to said opening which fits into the socket assembly attached to the hydraulic cylinder, structure on said cylinder for admitting fluid thereinto and therefrom, a fluid actuated plunger reciprocable through the opening in said enlargement and said cylinder, and a freely swivelable ball and socket joint on said plunger, said ball having a jack pad thereon adapted to receive the object to be supported.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 538,571 Wilson Apr. 30, 1895 572,598 Dean Dec. 8, 1896 1,764,237 Applebaker June 17, 1930 1,970,859 Lenze Aug. 21. 1934 2,341,542 Grime Feb. 15, 1944 2,503,659 Curtis Apr. 11, 1950 

